Investigation of Legionella spp. from the Turkish Baths in Sivas

Abstract

Legionella species are bacteria possibly found in every water environment and they are a part of ecocystem of water. The heat is an important criterion for amplification of bacterium and Legionella spp. were found more in hot springs water, hot water tanks. Plenty of outbreaks are connected with the systems of hot water. In this study, we investigated a total of 64 water samples for the presence of Legionella spp. The samples were collected from eight public baths in Sivas city center in July 2005. The water samples concentrated via filtration and decontamination (low pH) procedures were applied to the filtrates. After using a low pH method, the samples were cultured on BCYE and selective medium GVPC and MWY medium. All plates were incubated at 36°C in 90% humidified atmosphere for 10 days and examined daily. Oxidase, catalase, gelatinase, beta-lactamase, autofluorescence, hippurate hydrolysis and nitrate reduction methods are used for characterizing of Legionella-like organisms. Suspected colonies were confirmed by Legionella latex kit (Oxoid). As a result, Legionella spp. could not be isolated from the samples in this study